Lewistown Borough Council approves change order for 2013 paving project

Pension discussion leads to re-opening of 2014 budget

January 14, 2014

LEWISTOWN - Lewistown Borough Council held the first regular business meeting of 2014 Monday evening.

During the meeting, council voted to pay Jay Fulkroad & Sons, for a 2013 change order during a county aid paving project. The controversy arose when the change order did not get all of the signatures needed. However, after a vote of 5-1, the council agreed to pay the full amount originally owed. The no vote was cast by Council member John Adams. The council did not have to pay Jay Fulkroad & Sons anything, but decided it was good business to pay the full amount.

It was voted to re-open the budget, after a short discussion, due to the uncertainty of the repayment of pensions to Mifflin County Regional Police. Council Member Larry Searer cast the single no vote to re-open the budget. Now that the budget has been re-opened the council has until Feb. 15, to re-adopt the budget with or without changes.

During the approval of the minutes for the Jan. 6 re-organizational meeting, Searer said he did vote for Council Member Gregg O'Donnell for vice-president. After the meeting, the Sentinel reported that Searer voted no to O'Donnell. The official meeting notes state Searer did not vote at all.

Also discussed at the meeting:

Approved four change orders for the Waste Water Treatment Plant project

Authorized an appropriate officer to execute PennVest payment request

Approved the Real Estate Tax Ordinance

Approved the Sanitary Sewer Rent and Service Charges

Authorized the appropriate officers to execute the 2014 contract for the Supplemental Police Services between the Mifflin County Housing Authority and the Lewistown Police Department

Amended the borough's meeting ordinance to include a provision that if a person is going to read a letter to council, a copy must be submitted to become part of the council's records

The borough also decided to hire a new police officer, Andrew Bishop, to the Lewistown Police Department

The Lewistown Borough Council meets at 5:30 p.m. the second Monday of each month. A special meeting of the council will be held at 5 p.m. Jan. 27, to fill the vacant council position left by the resignation of Council Member Lee Bollinger during the Dec. 30 meeting.